New NBC promo video gives fans a first look at the cast-members of the upcoming Hairspray Live! musical, including Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth, and newcomer Maddie Baillio as Tracy.
Over the last few years, NBC has really developed their live performances of musicals for the holiday season. While critics were less than impressed with The Sound of Music Live! and Peter Pan Live!, last year’s star-studded The Wiz Live! was overwhelming lauded as a beautiful success.
I, myself, watched and live tweeted the show and was rivetted from beginning to end. There were so many stand-out moments, including Shanice Williams’ strong portrayal of Dorothy and phenomenal musical highlights (I’m looking at Uzo Aduba’s Glinda and Amber Riley’s Addaperle). And I will never, EVER forget the homage to Paris is Burning in the arrival at Emerald City! (#Slay #Serve)
It shouldn’t surprise us that NBC is keeping the tradition going, and this holiday season we can expect a live performance of Hairspray!
Hairspray (the musical) is an adaptation of the film of the same name, which takes place in 1962’s segregated Baltimore, Maryland. Tracy Turnblad (described as a “plump teenager”) loves to dance and ends up joining the cast of The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program. As a result of Tracy’s love of R&B drives she makes friends with African-American schoolmates who perform during the show’s “Nergo Day”. Ultimately, Tracy embarks on a campaign to integrate White and Black cast-mates on the show.
In the process we meet Tracy’s quirky parents Edna and Wilbur, her sheltered best friend Penny Pingleton, Tracy’s crush and star of The Corny Collins Show Link Larkin, and Motormouth Maybelle (the big, blonde, beautiful host of “Negro Day”).
I adore the 2007 film version of Hairspray with such an incredible cast, including John Travolta as Edna, Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle, my boo Zac Efron as Link Larkin, and newcomer Nikki Blonsky as Tracy.
Judging from the announcements about Hairspray Live! this cast will be equally amazing!
NBC has already confirmed that Kristin Chenoweth (Velma Von Tussle), Harvey Fierstein (Edna Turnblad; he originally played the role in the Broadway musical), Ariana Grande (Penny Pingleton), Derek Hough (Corny Collins), Jennifer Hudson (Motormouth Maybelle), and Martin Short (Wilbur Turnblad) have joined the cast.
Our beloved Tracy will be played by Maddie Baillio, who won the role in a national open call.
Disney Channel stars Dove Cameron will Garrett Clayton will play Amber Von Tussle and Link Larkin (respectively).
We also recently learned that Andrea Martin (LOVED her in My Big Fat Greek Wedding) has been cast as Prudy Pingleton, with Rosie O’Donnell as the Gym Teacher and Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) will play Mr. Pinky.
The creative team is also stellar, with Kenny Leon, who knocked The Wiz Live! out of the park returning as director and Harvey Fierstein writing the teleplay. Jerry Mitchell (the original choreographer of Hairspray) and songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (who collaborated on the Broadway production) are also part of the team.
This week NBC shared a new promo video that gives us a first look at all the cast in their roles and everyone looks so perfect!
You should also check out this video of Kenny Leon telling Maddie that she won the role… it’s so adorable!
Hairspray Live! airs Wednesday, December 7 at 8:00pm ET|PT on NBC!
Based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, “Hairspray Live!” takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Plump teenager Tracy Turnblad’s dream is to dance on “The Corny Collins Show,” a local TV program. When against all odds Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight and meets a colorful array of characters, including the resident dreamboat, Link; the ambitious mean girl, Amber; an African-American boy she meets in detention, Seaweed; and his mother, Motormouth Maybelle, the owner of a local record store. Tracy’s mother is the indomitable Edna, and she eventually encourages Tracy on her campaign to integrate the all-white “Corny Collins Show.”
“Hairspray Live!” stars Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, Derek Hough and exciting newcomer Maddie Baillio.